Compact, high-efficiency, high-power solid state light source using a single solid state light-emitting device

Abstract

A compact, high-efficiency, high-power, solid state light source, comprising a high-power solid state light-emitting device, a light guide having a proximal light-receiving end proximate the light-emitting device and a distal light-transmitting end spaced farther from the light-emitting device, and a mechanical light guide fixing device coupled to the light guide near its proximal end, to hold the proximal end of the light guide in position near the light-emitting device.

1. An endoscope comprising:
 a) a high-power solid state light-emitting device having a light emitting region of a semiconductor chip with a lens and coupling gel removed, and 
 b) a fiber optic light guide comprising
 a light-receiving end and a light-transmitting end wherein the light receiving end is placed directly against the light emitting region of the light-emitting device, said light-receiving end matching the size and shape of the light-emitting region. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The endoscope of  claim 1 , wherein the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting device is coated with a wavelength conversion phosphor. 
     
     
       3. The endoscope of  claim 1 , wherein the light emitting surface of the light-emitting device is about 1 mm square. 
     
     
       4. The endoscope of  claim 1 , wherein the hi-power solid state light-emitting device draws up to 5 W of power. 
     
     
       5. The endoscope of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber optic light guide comprises a bundle of optic fibers. 
     
     
       6. The endoscope of  claim 5 , wherein the fibers have diameters of about 30–50 micrometers. 
     
     
       7. The endoscope of  claim 1 , further comprising a ferrule that surrounds the fiber optic light guide. 
     
     
       8. The endoscope of  claim 7 , wherein the ferrule is located close to but not at the light receiving end of the fiber optic light guide. 
     
     
       9. The endoscope of  claim 1 , wherein the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting device is substantially flat. 
     
     
       10. The endoscope of  claim 9 , wherein the light receiving end of the fiber optic light guide is flat. 
     
     
       11. The endoscope of  claim 1 , wherein the fiber optic light guide comprises a single glass or plastic fiber. 
     
     
       12. The endoscope of  claim 1 , further comprising a light-emitting device battery power source. 
     
     
       13. An illumination device comprising:
 a) a high-power solid state light-emitting device having a light emitting region of a semiconductor chip with a lens and coupling gel removed, and 
 b) a fiber optic light guide comprising
 a light-receiving end and a light-transmitting end wherein the light receiving end is placed directly against the light emitting region of the light-emitting device, said light-receiving end matching the size and shape of the light-emitting region. 
 
 
     
     
       14. The illumination device of  claim 13  wherein the high power light-emitting device is coated with a wavelength conversion phosphor. 
     
     
       15. The illumination device of  claim 13 , wherein the light emitting surface of the light-emitting device is about 1 mm square. 
     
     
       16. The illumination device of  claim 13 , wherein the high-power solid state light-emitting device draws up to 5 W of power. 
     
     
       17. The illumination device of  claim 13 , wherein the fiber optic light guide comprises a bundle of optic fibers. 
     
     
       18. The illumination device of  claim 17 , wherein the fibers have diameters of about 30–50 micrometers. 
     
     
       19. The illumination device of  claim 13 , further comprising a ferrule that surrounds the fiber optic light guide. 
     
     
       20. The illumination device of  claim 19 , wherein the ferrule is located close to but not at the light receiving end of the fiber optic light guide. 
     
     
       21. The illumination device of  claim 13 , wherein the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting device is substantially flat. 
     
     
       22. The illumination device of  claim 21 , wherein the light receiving end of the fiber optic light guide is sub substantially flat. 
     
     
       23. The illumination device of  claim 13 , wherein the fiber optic light guide comprises a single glass or plastic fiber. 
     
     
       24. The illumination device of  claim 13 , further comprising a light emitting device battery power source.